How often do you water a jade plant?
Crassula Gollum, commonly called the jade tree or Gollum Jade, is a succulent plant native to Mozambique and some of the South African provinces.
This plant is characterized by a very slow growth, although it can reach more than 50 cm in height over the years.
Its fleshy leaves are the main attraction of this plant, along with its shape and color.
In its youth, it does not have an obvious stem due to the rosette arrangement of its leaves.
As it grows, the stem will look arboreal.
Another peculiarity of the jade plant is that it varies in color according to the time of year, from bright green to dark green with red tips.
They are characterized by having a conical or trumpet shape (they tend to bend sideways) with the apex straight or somewhat curved.
On many occasions, a very visible furrow is observed that completely curves the leaves.
It can be grown indoors if they receive enough lighting.
In addition, it gives small white or pink star-shaped flowers.
Its compact shape makes it ideal for growing in pots and practicing the art of bonsai.
As it ages, the trunk and stems become solid and thick.
This gives a very interesting appearance.
Flowering in this species is rare, we can only observe it in well-maintained plants with a few years of life.
The flowers are grouped into clustered inflorescences that appear at the apex of the stems; They have a starry shape with very evident stamens and are completely white.
How often do you water a jade plant:
The jade plant, like all succulents, is very resistant to drought.
For this reason, it is advisable to use the irrigation and drought method and is quite simple, you must water the plant abundantly, then you must wait for the substrate to be completely dry before the next irrigation.
To check how much water in needs or not, insert an orange stick (or your finger) at least 3 cm and so you can check if the soil is dry or not.
You can perfectly water your Jade plant 1 time a week in summer and once every fortnight (or once a month), in winter.
Jade plant care:
Illumination
The more sun it receives, the better for the crassula gollum.
For this succulent to grow compact, it must be well lit.
In winter we should provide approximately 5 hours of direct sunlight so that the apex of its leaves is pigmented purple-red and makes it more attractive.
You only have to take care of the plant in summer, since excessive sun could burn the leaves.
So, in the sunniest hours, put the plant in a partial surplus.
Fertilizer
Use earthworm compost or humus once or twice a year.
If you use a dilute fertilizer specific to cacti or succulents, be sure to use it in the growing months, which are the cold months.
Worm humus contains enzymes that repel many pests, such as whiteflies and aphids.
Compost is called black gold because of the great value it has on plants, and succulents are no exception.
Just add some compost to the substrate every year.
The nutrients in compost tea feed the tiny microscopic organisms in the soil, which then make it available to plants.
To fertilize your succulents with compost tea, water the soil with water and then with tea.
Do not fertilize in a foliar way.
It is important that if you make your own tea, the manure must be well cured.
If you use fresh manure you will burn your succulents.
If you use liquid fertilizer (compost tea, fish emulsion, superthrive, 20-20-20 etc.), use it once a month during its active growth period.
If you use worm humus, fertilize once or twice per period of active growth.
If you use compost, only fertilize once a year.
It is not recommended to do it more times, because you could over ferment your succulent, which is very harmful for your plant.
What could happen to you jade plant if you overfertilize:
Burns on the leaves and roots.
Premature fall of leaves.
Deformed leaves.
Brown leaf tips.
Excess nitrogen makes succulents grow soft and weak.
Excess nitrogen makes them susceptible to disease.
How to recover a succulent with excess fertilizer?
To eliminate excess fertilizer, water your succulent. Use 5 times more water than you use regularly.
Before doing this you must make sure of three things:
- Let the substrate drain well.
- Make sure the drain hole is letting the water pass.
- You must increase the water when watering, not the frequency of watering.
Should I fertilize the jade indoors?
Indoor succulents use much less energy than those that live outside.
So they don’t need as much fertilizer.
Add some worm humus to the substrate once a year.
You may like: Plants That Don’t Need Drainage Holes
Plagues and diseases
Crassula gollum is attacked mainly by aphids and mealybugs that we must eliminate with special insecticides or manually if the invasion is minimal.
If dark brown spots on the leaves and rough texture appear, they are sunburned, protect the plant from the intense sun.
If the leaves are wrinkled it is a symptom of water shortage, water urgently.
Red spiders and mealybugs can also attack them.
To eradicate them, apply commercial insecticides suitable for this, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Control the risks between applications.
An ecological, but slower solution is to place beer containers on the substrate.
The beer attracts them and there they will drown, which will allow us to eliminate them.
Also, place a lettuce leaf soaked in beer, as bait.
Problems that your Gollum Jade could present.
Black spots on the leaves: excess humidity and cold. Reduce the frequency of watering and protect from low temperatures.
Leaf fall: lack of water. You have to water more.
Yellow leaves fall: excess water. The frequency of watering should be decreased.
It does not flourish: it maybe because it is very young or it lacks fertilizer.
It does not grow: lack of space. The plant must be transplanted every two years.
Propagation
The succulent Gollum is propagated by leaves or cuttings.
Leaves propagation:
Tear off a leaf from the plant. Make sure there is no part of the leaf on the stem.
Allow the wound to heal for two days.
Lay the sheet on a napkin in a dry place.
Place the leaf on the succulent substrate/soil.
Do not water until they have roots.
Once they have roots, water with a spray or spray bottle.
Propagation by cuttings
Using a clean, sharp knife, cut a branch from the base of the plant.
Allow the cut to dry for several days.
Place the cuttings in a well-drained soil or substrate for cacti and succulents.
Wait a few days before watering.
Temperature
Crassula gollum requires growing in warm climates throughout the year.
It does not tolerate temperatures below 10 ° C for a long time, frost will kill it quickly.
Ideal growth temperatures should be stable between 15-30 ° C.
In temperate countries, we recommend keeping it in greenhouses or inside the house where it receives sun during winter.
Substratum
The ideal substrate for crassula gollum, must have perfect drainage.
Usually a mixture of gravel, dirt and coarse sand is used.
If instead of buying a specific substrate for succulents, you want to create your own substrate and to ensure that your plant gets the necessary nutrients and has good drainage, here are some ideas that you can follow:
Idea # 1
A part of universal substrate
A part of gravel
A part of black peat
A part of perlite
-Idea # 2
two parts coarse sand
A part of humus
Two parts perlite
A part of universal substrate
-Idea # 3
A part of gravel
A part of universal land
A part of vermiculite
-Idea # 4
Coconut fiber
A part of humus
Two parts of river sand or coarse sand
Ornamental use
This is a plant whose ornamental value is very high. It is very beautiful in any corner, be it in the patio, on the terrace, and can even be in the garden if you live in an area where there are no severe frosts.
Transplant
Do it every two years, in spring. You should use a pot that is about 3cm wider than the previous one.
In spring, when the temperature stays above 10 degrees Celsius, it will be time to plant it in the garden or move it to a larger pot with holes.
Pruning
This plant does not need to be pruned. You should only do it if there are parts of the plant that are badly abused or sick (rotten), in this case, it is good to remove the damaged parts of the plant, so that it does not infect the rest of the plant.
Toxicity
This plant can become poisonous.
Crassula ovata can be toxic to children and humans if eaten, it can cause harmful effects on our pets, dogs, cats, horses, etc.
If this plant is ingested, it can cause minor health problems, such as diarrhea and vomiting.
Touching the plant, sap, juice or thorns, can cause itching and burning on the skin in people. Dogs and cats that ingest the jade plant can also vomit.
Other types of Crassula:
1.Crassula Umbrella
It is a plant with a very different aspect to the rest of succulents. Its characteristic umbrella-shaped leaves make it a unique specimen of its kind.
Its leaves are very characteristic, with a circular shape similar to an umbrella that gives the species its name.
The leaves are dark green, although they develop reddish and brown touches.
The flowers grow at the end of long greenish-brown stems. The flowers are very small, white with reddish or yellow hints.
It is a plant that withstands warm temperatures and dry climates, even frost for short periods.
But keep in mind that during winter it must be in a dry environment to avoid rotting with moisture.
2.Crassula “Springtime”
The crassula “Springtime” is one of the most beautiful succulent plants that exist.
The “Springtime” crassula is a hybrid between Crassula Rupestris and Crassula Falcata.
It is a plant with hard stems, but if we let it grow, they end up curving due to the weight of the plant.
It has fleshy green leaves, lighter or darker depending on the specimen, with an elliptical shape and rough edges.
These flowers grow in very dense clusters. They have a star shape made up of five petals, a pleasant aroma and pinkish colors with a deep red in the center.
It is a plant that withstands warm temperatures and dry climates, even frost for short periods.
Always keep in mind that during winter it should be in a dry environment.
This way you avoid rotting when the cold arrives.
3. Crassula “Buddha’s Temple”
The crassula “Buddha’s Temple” is a hybrid between the Crassula Pyramidalis and the Crassula Falcata. The first hybrid was created in 1959 by the American botanist Myron Kimnach.
The leaves are stacked on the stem in a very peculiar way, forming a column-like rosette similar to a giant Crassula pyramidalis.
These leaves are fleshy, heart-shaped that ends up curving at the ends.
They are pale green in color and can develop brown and reddish tones at the ends.
Unlike other plants in the family, the crassula “Buddha’s temple” can flower at any time of the year.
The flowers appear in clusters at the end of the leaf columns and are yellow and pinkish, giving it an even more peculiar appearance if possible.
It is a plant that withstands warm temperatures and dry climates, even frost for short periods.
But you must bear in mind that during the winter it must be in a dry environment.
This way you avoid rotting when the cold arrives.
4.Crassula Multicava
It is a covering plant with blue-green leaves that acquire reddish tones if it receives a lot of sun and presents small holes in the surface. The flowers appear on long stems and are pinkish white and star-shaped.
They bloom in spring.
5.Crassula perforata
They are very light green with reddish spots on the edges.
The small flowers they produce are yellowish-white and have no ornamental interest.
The flowers are grouped into terminal cymose inflorescences of 15 to 30cm.
6.Crassula marnieriana
Native to South Africa. Its scientific name is Crassula marnieriana, and it is popularly known as the Jade necklace or Chinese pagoda.
It develops stems about 30 centimeters long from which fleshy, rounded, green leaves with red margins sprout.
If the insolation is very high, it can turn reddish. The flowers bloom in spring, or in winter if it is warm. They are grouped in pink and star-shaped inflorescences.
7.Crassula arborescens
The Crassula arborescens is a non-cacti succulent that, as time goes by, acquires a small tree shape with a relatively thick trunk.
Its leaves, as they are whitish gray, make them look great in any corner; also it does not grow much, it can be grown in a pot throughout its life.
It reaches a height of 0.6 to 1.2 meters, with a thick trunk of about 30 cm.
The leaves are fleshy, rounded, whitish-green and with a reddish margin.
It blooms towards winter, producing small white or pink flowers, grouped into inflorescences.